Comcast Sports Net Bay Area reported that Howard wanted the Lakers to either "muzzle" Bryant or amnesty him. Howard did not see eye to eye with the hyper-competitive Bryant.

Howard also wanted the team to cut ties with D'Antoni. It has been reported by several media outlets that Howard did not get along with D'Antoni and did not fit in with his high-tempo offense.

---Miami Heat star LeBron James has evidence that he is trying to establish some chemistry with recently signed center Greg Oden.

James posted a photo on Instagram of him and Oden working out in a weight room. Oden, a former No. 1 draft pick who has not appeared in an NBA game since 2009 because of knee problems, signed a two-year deal with the Heat this summer.

After starring at Ohio State, Oden was taken first by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2007 draft. He only appeared in 82 games before injuries forced him out of the league. He hopes to make a successful comeback by contributing to a Heat squad looking for a third straight NBA title.